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Exceptional visit to the PAPE François 1^ER in Madagascar. The Sovereign Pontiff has chosen to start his visit through Mozambique since Wednesday and for two days. The country suffered extensive damage during Cyclone Idai in March 2019 and starting tomorrow Friday 06 September, the Holy Father will tread The Malagasy soil for a visit to 4 days.

President Andry RAJOELINA welcomes the visit of the Sovereign Pontiff to Madagascar, thirty years after that of Pope John Paul II. "It is with great joy and pride that we welcome His Holiness Pope Francis, who has been willing to accept our invitation", He said. "The Malagasy people are measuring the importance of this event. This unique moment in the spiritual life of the Malagasy will be celebrated in an exceptional way and will forever mark the history of our country”, He continues.

There are only a few days left before the arrival of Pope Francis in Madagascar. And the authorities are making the final preparations on the infrastructure side., what about security. During the three-day visit to the Big Island, the programs are well established and those responsible have already taken all the necessary measures for this purpose.

The sovereign pontiff will be expected at Ivato International Airport at 4:30 p.m. (Madagascar time). For safety and traffic flow, the prefecture of the city of Antananarivo has indicated that no car will be able to park on the side of the new road (Tsarasaotra) where the official convoy will pass. From 12 hours, that same day, the road will be completely cut, also, no means of transport will be able to run. By the way, this Friday afternoon will be off work for all Malagasy workers. Upon the arrival of Pope Francis, all the church bells will ring.

The 266th Pope of Rome will bring his message of hope and peace. Pope Francis, real name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, will be welcomed with honors by the presidential couple, members of the Government, and senior officials of the Catholic Church in Madagascar tomorrow upon his arrival. The general theme of this visit is “Sower of Peace and Hope”, and aims at the same time to strengthen the faith of Christians and that of the partnership between the Church and the Malagasy State in the field of civic education and the emergence of the country in all areas of public life. For the high mass of 8 September, more than 800 000 people are expected in Soamandrakizay on Sunday morning, where there will be a homily from the Holy Father and the proclamation of the Angelus. To properly organize entry into this place, all Christians who will attend this mass must be there before 8:30 a.m.. On the other hand, officials have already released some recommendations for anyone planning to attend.

During his stay, he will visit symbolic places in Antananarivo next Saturday, including a meeting with the Bishops of Madagascar in the Cathedral of Andohalo.

Infrastructure side, 20 parishes will welcome pilgrims to Antananarivo. According to the information, reservations for travel to the capital are already overbooked at bus stations. On the other hand, sanitation of the premises, for reception, has already started a few days ago. Yet, managers face difficulties, particularly in terms of hygiene and water supply.

Concerning security, 10 000 elements of law enforcement will be deployed, particularly in the capital where 200 surveillance cameras have been installed. These devices are necessary, because several thousand faithful will circulate during these three days. In this sense, since a lot of cars will be circulating on Friday, the prefecture asked the gendarmerie not to allow those of pilgrims coming from the provinces to enter until 7:30 p.m..

Monday 9 will be dedicated to the visit to Mauritius where the Pope will also hold a Holy Mass with all Mauritian Christians and those from neighbouring islands. He will return to Madagascar on Monday evening and return to Rome on the morning of Tuesday 10 September. Reminder, archbishop of Buenos Aires and cardinal was elected Pope on 13 March 2013 at the age of 76 years after the renunciation of Benedict XVI to continue his pontificate. He is the first Pope to choose to appear on the balcony in Rome without any liturgical ornaments thus wanting to mark a break with his predecessors. He had chosen the name of Francis in reference to St. Francis of Assisi, the saint of the poor. "Francis is the name of peace, and that's how that name came into my heart!" he said at the time.

Pope's program :

Friday 6 September, landing around 4:30 p.m. local time. No further public engagement is planned after his arrival on Malagasy soil.

Saturday 7 September, in the Malagasy capital, Pope to meet President Andry RAJOELINA at 9:30 a.m. at the Presidential Palace, before the meeting at 10:15 a.m. with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the early morning. He will then deliver a homily at the third party service at the Carmelite Monastery at 11:15 a.m., before lunch at the nunciature. He will then meet the country's bishops at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also called Andohalo Cathedral (named after the neighbourhood in which it is located). He will then visit at 5 p.m. the tomb of Blessed Victory Rasoamanarivo, then he will conclude the day at 6pm with a vigil with the young people in the diocesan field of Soamandrakizay.

Sunday 8 September, he will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. at the same place, from where he will then recite the Angelus prayer. After lunch, Francis 1st will visit father Pedro's village of Akamasoa at 3:10 p.m., "City of Friendship". He will then go to the Mahatzana construction site at 4 p.m. to recite a prayer for the workers.. This second day on the Big Island will end at 5:10 p.m. with a meeting with the priests, religious and religious, consecrated persons and seminarians at Saint-Michel College.

Monday 9 September, François 1er will make a return trip to Mauritius from Antananarivo. His plane will leave at 7:30 a.m. Malagasy time and should arrive at 10:40 a.m. Mauritian time at Port-Louis airport.. He will start the day with a mass, at 12:15 p.m. at the monument of Mary Queen of Peace. After lunch with the bishops of the Indian Ocean Episcopal Conference, he will make a private visit to the shrine of Father Laval at 4:25 p.m. before meeting President Varlen Vyapoory at 4:55 p.m., then the Prime Minister, and contact the authorities, to civil society and the diplomatic corps at 5:40 p.m., for his second and final public speech of the day. He will then take the plane back to Antananarivo at 7 p.m., and he will be back at 8 p.m. on Malagasy soil for a night at the nunciature.

Tuesday 10 September, the Pope will take the plane from Antananarivo with a farewell ceremony at 9 a.m. and a flight around 9:20 a.m., direction Rome where he will land in principle at 7 p.m..

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